The player pool isn't big enough Dez for that, you would need about 60% to 70% of the current academy players to "double-up" into the U23 (reserves) competition. It is do-able but the majority of SL would prefer to have dual-reg like we do with Halifax. There is a good insight for the current state of the reserves comp' here from ex-Wigan player Nick Gregson....

Remember the days', when it was 1st team, A team, and just Colts. No academies, and all local teams had an under 17 team, no u/8s upward. Just if you were good enough you got to play in the school team. No false dawns for kids and parents bickering about why their youngster only played 10 minutes, upsetting their sons' along the way. Oh yes the good old days.

ha ha, back in the day when there were no contracts the A teams were a different item all together. a lot of the players were ex 1st teamers who just played for their beer money because when they were past it for the 1st team they couldn't drop down a division and there were cliques at some clubs where the old players begrudged an up and coming youngster taking their beer money. woe betide any one who wasn't a mate of the dummy half or you wouldn't get a pass all game.on the other hand when floodlights were a bit of a novelty, cas regularly pulled in gates of 3,000 plus for Friday night A team games.

One of the many reserve games cancelled this season tomorrow - Wigan Vs Wakey due to Wakey's withdrawl. how many games have they got in this season ? Is it still worth 50K a season to run a reserve grade team ?

jon wells is very passionate about running a cas A team next year. but only if a lot of other teams enter to make it a worthwhile competition. he doesn't want to be playing the same few teams over and over.

Tigerade wrote:One of the many reserve games cancelled this season tomorrow - Wigan Vs Wakey due to Wakey's withdrawl. how many games have they got in this season ? Is it still worth 50K a season to run a reserve grade team ?

TT Tiger wrote:Under 21 with 3 open age players seemed to work well 18 is too young to cut adrift and returning players need a run out

Back in the day I played for Hunslet A team & missed out on playing at Cas as I was late getting to the ground due to work. Kevin Ward was coming back from injury & played for Cas A.Still not sure if I was angry or relieved that I didn’t play!

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